Nathan Price - time is a valuable asset
Wallsend District Cricket Club | April 20, 2023
Nathan Price started his cricket journey in Newcastle and made his first grade debut for Wallsend when he was only 16. After a number of years Nathan made his way to the big smoke and joined the seasiders at Coogee Oval, the famous Randwick Petersham Cricket Club where he became first grade player number 67.
In his time at Randwick Petersham from 2009 to 2019 Nathan scored 5,263 runs at an average of 37.06 including 9 centuries and 27 half centuries
He was selected in the NSW Futures League teams and has been a very proud member of the NSW and National Indigenous squads for many years.
He’s back home in Newcastle and making a tremendous contribution to where it all began at Wallsend Cricket Club
Let’s find out more about Nathan’s journey in the game
What year were you born?
1987
Can you remember your first game of cricket?
I played my first game of cricket as a 4 year old in the U10s for the Windale Warriors (they were the only club who were willing to let me play at that age). The game was at Whitebridge Oval. I don’t remember the game but I do remember having a black eye while playing! My first ever training session I ran over keen as mustard, bent over to pick up my first ball fielding and it rolled up my arm and clocked me in the eye! Must have loved the game if that didn’t scare me off.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
Started playing juniors at Windale, then went over to Cardiff juniors when I was about 13. I started playing grade in Newcastle with Wallsend when I was 14. Played representative cricket for Newcastle and NSW Country before joining Randwick Petersham in Sydney when I was 22. I played a handful of matches in Second XI and Futures League for both NSW and ACT as well as some Sydney Sixers Academy games. I have also been a member of the NSW and National Indigenous squads for a number of years.
NSW Imparja Cup team
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket?
I made my debut in Newcastle 4th grade for Wallsend at 14.
At what age did you make your first grade debut in grade cricket and can you remember how you performed in debut?
I made my first grade debut for Wallsend in Newcastle at 16. I dropped their best player at mid-off and finished a few not out when we lost. I debuted for Randwick Petersham in Sydney at 22. I top scored in a low scoring one day game with 50 odd and won in a tight finish.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Tall right hand batsman and right arm mediums
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
My highest score in senior cricket is 162 for Randwick Petersham against Sutherland at Petersham Oval
Nathan Price on the attack for Randwick Petersham
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
My best bowling figures are 6 for 67 for Wallsend against Toronto at Ron Hill Oval. Also took one 5 wicket haul for Randwick Petersham against Northern District.
Who have been the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Pat Cummins - I played against Pat when he was 17 when playing for Penrith in January 2011. Usman Khawaja had just made his Test debut against England and came into our grade match for week 2. We lost a quick wicket and Usman went out to bat, only to be hit in the head by Pat, first ball! Fair to say that got my attention. Funnily enough, I broke my thumb later that day. He made his Test debut later that year, and is still a serious bowler.
Daniel McLauchlan - Wow, I have never seen someone bowl as quick as this bloke. We played Bankstown in a one day match at Coogee and he bowled like the wind. Their first slip was told by the umpire that he needed to come back inside the 30 metre circle at one point, which he didn’t. I was able to hit 60 odd not out but a few balls that I left from him would’ve gone for six with the short straight boundaries at Coogee had the keeper decided to pull his hands away. Daniel Sams and Aaron Bird were Bankstowns other bowlers, and both felt like genuine medium pacers.
Daryl Tuffey - We played the whole of the 2012/13 season on the greenest wickets you’ll ever see and Daryl took advantage one day at Coogee Oval. Despite Simon Katich hitting 137, Daryl took 8 for 36 from 25 overs and made our whole order look silly. He bowled with good pace, swing and seam, and barely ever missed his area. We lost outright, but he was classy to watch.
Nathan Price bowling for Wallsend Tigers
Who have been the best three spinners you have played against?
Ahillen Beadle - Ahillen took 5 wickets or more against us a couple of times and I always found him tough to play. At Manly in 2016, he bowled 32 overs against us to take 5 wickets and didn’t get hit for a boundary despite us scoring 350.
Stephen O’Keefe - One ball was enough for me. Bowled top of off stump. I walked off the field shattered when Scott Henry asked me why I played for turn...I didn’t. “Stiff” was his reply. Despite what I was told, he spins the ball hard and is a quality bowler.
Stuart Macgill - He played for Sydney Uni in one of the Finals we played against them. His record speaks for itself.
Stuart MacGill
Who has been the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
In grade matches, I would say the following:
Greg Mail - My second two day against in Sydney was against Sydney Uni, and Greg delivered with 220 not out. He was a class above anything else I had seen to that point and his record would agree with that.
Jason Roy - He played a season for Easts a few years back. He scored 60 odd on a hot day at Waverly before running out of gas. But he looked like a classy player and played some amazing strokes. Without doubt the best English player I had seen play in Sydney..
David Dawson - I would love to know how many balls this guy faced in my time in grade cricket, and I am sure he shadow batted about 3 times as many too! A quality person, a great technique and temperament, he just churned them out.
David Dawson
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Ben Rohrer - He hit 275 in futures league against me when playing for ACT. He gave one chance when he was less than 10 but our fine leg fielder forgot how to catch. He then walked when he was given not out when finally out on 275. The next season, he scored 200 odd for Fairfield against us at the Randy Petes in a losing one day match at Coogee. He hit the ball to all parts. Hard to split to two.
Ben Rohrer
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Damien Duruox by the length of the straight. I loved playing with him at Impaja Cup.
Can you recall some banter or an exchange on the cricket field that still makes you laugh today?
My experiences of banter always seemed to be the ones that backfired on the person who opened their mouth. Early on in Newcastle there was a left arm seamer called Mark Curran who had the wood on me. The last time I played against him, he happened to remind me that he had gotten me out every time he bowled to me. My best comeback was to say “you’re right”. I then went on to hit 148no.
The exact same thing was said to me by Jake Turner when playing for Mosman, and again he was right, he may have got me out 4 times already. Except this time I said “the last time someone said that to me I tonned up”. This time I hit 140 and no Jake didn’t get me that day either.
What was your most embarrassing dismissal in senior cricket?
I got bowled for a duck in a first grade match against Sutherland when my bat got stuck behind the knee roll of my back pad.
Who was your childhood hero?
Mark Waugh in the 90’s and Ricky Ponting in the 2000's.
Mark Waugh
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Ricky Ponting
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Coogee Oval. Could you go past playing across the road from the beach at Coogee every week?
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
There are two wins and innings that stand out in my mind.
The first was when the National Indigenous Squad beat QLD in a practice match at Allan Border Field. We chased 270 odd and I was able to score 105. Definitely was my best result against that quality of opposition. Unfortunately, despite me proving to myself that I was good enough to mix it at that level, it also became clear that I never would.
The second was at my first Impaja Cup (now called the National Indigenous Championships). We played a T20 against QLD at Albrect Oval and were chasing 166 to win. A win that would have secured a place in the final in a day or two.
I batted number 4 and walked out to bat facing a hat trick ball on the third ball of our innings. Both Pat Rosser and Matt Bradley were bowled for goldens.
Fast forward through to the last ball of the match, scores are level, I am 94 not out. The field’s up to stop the single and I hit a full ball over mid-on for 6 to win the game and go to 100.
I still remember that split second moment where the whole ground was quiet and I knew that I had won the game, which was followed by the biggest roar from the sideline from the rest of the team. Still sends shivers down my spine just thinking about it. Those moments of success and failure are the reason why I have loved playing and still do so today.
Nathan Price batting for Wallsend Tigers
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Jeff Cook, Damien Duroux and Pat Rosser.
What are your hobbies?
Apart from cricket, I enjoy playing golf, playing guitar and swimming at the beach.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Time is your most valuable asset.
What is your current occupation?
I am the founder of Stream Accounting. We work with small businesses to help them make the money they need and to create the discretionary time to enjoy it.
Are you still involved in cricket and if so, in what capacity?
I am still playing first grade cricket in Newcastle for the Wallsend District Cricket Club, where I am captain and club coach.
